Lampson's bid for U.S. rep fails

Julie Chan, Beaumont Enterprise

By Julie Chang

Updated 9:03 am, Wednesday, November 7, 2012

It's Election Day and over at Precinct 65, the Rogers Park Community Center, candidate for judge in the 136th judicial district, Rick Williams, right, meets with Republican candidate for the US Congress Randy Weber, left, before they both moved on to their next appointments. Dave Ryan/The Enterprise

It's Election Day and over at Precinct 65, the Rogers Park...

It's Election Day and over at his campaign headquarters in the Mildred Building, Democratic candidate for the US Congress Nick Lampson, center, joins other phone bank members in calling voters within the district. Dave Ryan/The Enterprise

A group of supporting Democrats applaud the winning of another state for President Obama at Democratic congressional candidate Nick Lampsons election party at the Holiday Inn on Walden Road in Beaumont on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise
Photo: Randy Edwards

A group of supporting Democrats applaud the winning of another...

Democratic congressional candidate Nick Lampsons grandson Jack Shanning, 2, plays with his iPad while his family awaits results on the election for Congressional District 14 against Randy Weber at the Holiday Inn on Walden Road in Beaumont on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise
Photo: Randy Edwards

What was widely considered one of the tightest races in the state proved to be not so close as Beaumont native Democrat Nick Lampson was defeated by Pearland businessman and Republican Randy Weber.

Results from late Tuesday night show that 54 percent or 117,573 voters chose Weber, while 45 percent of voters supported Lampson in the polls.

The Democratic candidate conceded with all precincts in Jefferson and Brazoria counties and one precinct in Galveston County reporting.

Galveston County results were delayed because of a polling machine problems that pushed the closing of the polls an hour and 54 minutes past 7 p.m.

The recently redrawn Texas District 14, which leans Republican, has been represented by Ron Paul, who did not run for re-election but made a bid for the presidency instead.

Lampson had represented District 9 from 1996 to 2005, when it was redrawn to include parts of Harris County.

Weber's jab throughout the race was that Lampson couldn't "take a hint" after Lampson lost two previous campaigns.

"I'm deeply honored that voters have chosen me to be their voice in Congress," Weber said from his election night headquarters in League City. "I will serve my constiutents with integrity and full respect for the office and what it represents." Throughout the day on Tuesday, Lampson traveled around Galveston, visiting churches and later rallying the vote at Lamar University.

Weber has served as the Alvin representative in the Texas House since 2008, touting his conservative values and his status as a small business owner.

He started his air conditioning company, Weber's Air & Heat, in 1981 and served on the Pearland City Council from 1990 to 1996.

During his tenure as a state lawmaker, he voted for reduction in spending for public schools and other state agencies, prohibition of state funding for facilities that perform abortions and stricter voter ID requirements, among other hot-button issues.

As a U.S. Representative, Weber has said he plans to continue his conservative voting record.

"Tonight, the voters said they wanted to go in a direction that will put our country on the right track," said Weber.

Both candidates have raised almost $2 million through Sept. 30. Lampson's congressional campaign reported raising $969,350 during the time period - about $200,000 more than Weber.

In Beaumont, big names offered support to the candidates: former President Bill Clinton recommended Lampson to more than a thousand people gathered at Lamar University last month.

Four days later, Senate candidate and Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz stumped for Weber at Madison's on Dowlen.

Rick Perry made an appearance with Weber the day after in Friendswood.